Sunday, 27 February 2011

We weren't to hopeful when we went to Beachy with bright sunny conditions with a NNW wind and we only sea-watched for 30 minutes between 07.45-08.15. We then did most of the Headland and recorded the following:

Thursday, 24 February 2011

Doreen & myself sea-watched from 07.20 - 09.25 and then we walked Birling lane and then up to Belle Tout lighthouse onto the wood and back to Birling. Met up with Pete & Mim who had covered a similar area. Birds seen:

Divers 15 (14 E & 1 on the sea, ones i/d were all Red Throats).

Great Crested Grebe 1 on sea

Gannet 2 W

Brent Goose 29 E

Shelduck 5 E

Med Gull 1 ad in full s/p E

Common Gull 50 including 20 1st W's

Greater Black Back Gull 50

Kittiwake 15 W

Very few birds present on the ground or in the bushes and no sign of any early migrants.

Saturday, 12 February 2011

Went to Beachy and we met RDME briefly at Birling. Early morning fog and drizzle delayed the sea-watch until 08.45 - 09.15. We then did most of the Headland including the cliff-path. The following were recorded:

Tuesday, 8 February 2011

Doreen and myself did a sea-watch from 07.30-09.30 and in glorious warm weather we walked from Birling to the Old Lighthouse back to Belle Tout wood and then through the field opposite back to Birling. Recorded the following:

Divers 41E & 4 on the sea. (all the ones i/d were Red Throats).

Great Crested Grebe 18 on the sea & 2 E

Gannet 15 W

Cormorant 70 (including a flock of 50 on the sea off Birling).

Brent Goose 7W

Scoter 1 E

Red Breasted Merganser 3 E

Goosander 1 redhead which landed on a sea pool on the beach off Birling, walked onto the beach and then departed East. (Never thought I would ever see a Goosander on the deck at Beachy!!).

Tuesday, 1 February 2011

Two hour sea-watch between 07.40 -09.40. Large impressive passage of Auks moving chiefly during the first hour, although small numbers were still moving when we left:

Red Throated Diver 3 on sea.

Diver Sp. 16 E (most were probably Red Throats)

Great Crested Grebe 2 W

Fulmar 5+

Gannet 160 (151 W & 9 E).

Cormorant Flock of 20 landed on sea off Birling.

Kittiwake 30

Auks: 350 E & 2,205 W of which 1500 W during the first hour. Approx. 600 i/d as Razorbills of which 80% were still in winter plumage but only 10 Guillemots were identified. The birds moving E, were much further out.